24/4/2024
April 24, 2024
TikTok fait face à des pressions réglementaires aux États-Unis et en Europe, le Congrès américain obligeant ByteDance à vendre ses opérations et la Commission européenne scrutant le programme de récompenses de TikTok Lite en raison de préoccupations concernant l'addiction des utilisateurs et la santé mentale.
TikTok and its parent company ByteDance are facing significant challenges on both sides of the Atlantic. In the United States, the Congress has passed legislation requiring ByteDance to divest its American operations within a year, citing concerns over espionage and the influence of the Chinese government. Meanwhile, in Europe, the European Commission is scrutinizing TikTok Lite for its controversial reward program, which could potentially be banned due to concerns over user addiction and mental health impacts.
The recent U.S. legislative effort marks the fourth attempt to curb TikTok's influence in the country. The bill, part of a broader package that includes aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, reflects ongoing worries about Chinese espionage capabilities, especially regarding the data privacy of TikTok's 170 million American users. These concerns are amplified by the platform's opacity and its significant role in shaping the information landscape, particularly among younger audiences. Despite TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's assurances that the Chinese government has never requested user data, U.S. lawmakers remain unconvinced and are determined to eliminate Chinese influence from the platform.
Across the Atlantic, the European Commission has initiated a formal procedure against TikTok Lite, an app that rewards users with Amazon vouchers for time spent on the platform. Launched in early April 2024, TikTok Lite has quickly come under fire for encouraging potentially harmful screen-time habits, particularly among younger users. The Commission's investigation focuses on the app's "Task and Reward Lite" program, which is accused of fostering addictive behaviors and having a negative impact on mental health.
The European Commission is also probing TikTok's age verification processes, a perennial concern given the app's popularity with younger demographics. ByteDance has been given deadlines to submit a risk assessment report and provide further information, with the possibility of interim measures that could suspend the reward program in the EU pending a safety evaluation.
These developments signify a growing skepticism towards tech companies that are perceived as foreign influences, particularly those based in China. Both the U.S. and the European Union are taking steps to assert more control over digital platforms, reflecting broader concerns about data privacy, misinformation, and the social responsibilities of tech companies. As TikTok navigates these regulatory challenges, the outcomes could set precedents for how other tech companies operate globally.
